Load stacker

ABSTRACT

In a load stacker, a load is moved vertically while resting on an elevating platform, and is adapted to be moved lateraly from the platform into a storage bin at one side or the other of the platform, and also to be moved from bins at each side of the platform, back onto the platform. A shuttle moves relatively to the elevating platform in either of opposed directions and through this movement, is adapted to move a load into or out of a bin at each side of the platform. For contacting the load, the shuttle carries a novel form of pusher utilizing a pair of chains between which bars are mounted, the bars being secured at their opposed ends to the chains. Through movement of the chains, the bars may be applied to one end of the load or to another end of the load, and when so applied to an end of the load, the movement of the shuttle effects movement of the load in the direction that may be required. As a part of the platform, a bridge is utilized for facilitating movement of the load onto the platform and off the platform.

United States Patent 1 Lee Oct. 2, 1973 I LOAD STACKER [57] ABSTRACT 5 lnvemm; Kirkwood L O d U In a load stacker, a load is moved vertically while resting on an elevating platform, and is adapted to be [73] ASS'gnee: Eaton Corporauon C|velandY Ohm moved lateraly from the platform into a storage bin at [22] Filed: Aug. 26, 1971 one side or the other of the platform, and also to be [211 App]. No.: 175,259

[52] U.S. Cl 198/24, l98/222, 214/164 A, v 2l4/73O [51 Int. Cl. 865g 47/00 [58] Field of Search 2l4/l6.4 R, 16.4 A, 214/161, 514, 38,198/222, 24; 296/57 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,376,457 5/1945 Skoog 198/222 2,261,099 10/1941 Fairbanks 296/57 A Primary ExaminerRichard E. Aegerter Attorney-Leslie H. Blair et al.

moved from bins at each side of the platform, back onto the platform. A shuttle moves relatively to the elevating platform in either of opposed directions and through this movement, is adapted to move a load into or out ofa bin at each side of the platform. For contacting the load, the shuttle carries a novel form of pusher 9 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures l ll ll/ Pmcmm 3,152,531

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LOAD STACKER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a load stacker of the type adatped to move a load from a platform, which may be an elevating platform, to one side or the other of the platform into a storage bin. More particularly, the invention relates to a novel form of mechanism for facilitating the movement of a load from a platform to one side or theother of the platform into a storage bin or the like, and also from a bin at each side of the platform back to the platform.

2. Description of the Prior Art Load stackers for moving a load from the platform of a stacker, an elevating truck or an elevating hoist into a bin, or for movement out of a bin onto an elevating platform, are old in the art. Generally, the load is manipulated through the utilization of a skid or pallet, the movement of the lifting forks thereafter moving the load and the skid or pallet as a unit. The art has also resorted to the utilization of paper pallets, the load being stored in a paper pallet and then being adapted to slide with the pallet from a platform into a bin and then outwardly of the bin back to the platform. The handling of loads by paper pallets is relatively costly because it is necessary to stack the loads in a particular manner on a paper pallet. Also, the devices for pulling the pallet are expensive, and in addition, load pushing means are also required.

Some resort has been had also to vacuum pads which may be applied to particular loads for pushing or pulling the loads. Despite the fact that considerable development of vacuum load operating mechanisms has taken place, no truely effective device, so far as is known, has yet been developed.

It is believed that the invention of this application contributes a load stacking and manipulating mechanism that is a considerable advance in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A feature of this invention resides in the utilization of load manipulating means having a part thereof movable relatively to the entire load manipulating combination, or application to one end or the other end of a load. Obviously, by applying the said part to one end of the load or the other, and by thereafter moving it, the load may be pushedv in either of opposed directions.

More particularly, the invention has as a feature thereof, the utilization of a load manipulating means that is in the form of a shuttle adapted to move back and forth in a particular path. The shuttle has thereon a pusher that may be moved relatively to the shuttle, preferably to one or the other end of the shuttle, so as to be applied to a load that will thereafter be moved with the shuttle in one direction or another, depending upon the movement of the shuttle and the location of the pusher.

As a more particular feature of the invention, the shuttle is adapted to be moved relatively to an elevating platform, and to one side or the other of the platform,

I whereby to push a load into a storage bin at one side or the other of the platform, and also to move a load from a storage bin at one side or the other of the platform and then on to the platform. 7

As a particular detailed feature of the invention, the shuttle carries thereon a load pusher that may be in the form of a series of rods adapted to be mounted at their ends on portions of a flexible member such as a link chainQBy suitable guidance of the link chain, the bars may be moved to one end or the other of the shuttle, by-passing a load mounted between parts of the shuttle, for application to one end or other other of the load. Thereafter, through movement of the shuttle together with the chain and the bars, the load will be pushed in the particular direction in which it is desired in order to bring it into a bin or out of a bin.

As a further particular feature of the invention, a bridge mechanism is utilized for bridging the space between the load platform and a bin to facilitate movement of the load.

It may be said therefore, that the general object of this invention is to provide means for moving a load from an elevating platform or the like into a bin at one side or the other of the moving platform, and back to the platform, without requiring the utilization of a pallet, a skid, or other means such as have been heretofore utilized.

A further particular object of the invention is the provision of a novel form of pusher, which may be applied through a moving shuttle or other reciprocating member to a load by particular positioning of the pusher on the shuttle, whereby a load may be pushed in a desired direction into or out of the bin and onto or off a load platform, as may be desired. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate, that the novel concept of the invention that has been outlined, is the essence of the invention, and that this concept may be utilized through the developement of many mechanisms that will readily occur to those skilled in the art. It is very important therefore, that it be appreciated that modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention and the concept here set forth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The novel features that are believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and concept, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,

in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical elevation showing a load stacker equipped with the invention and adapted for movement in an aisle to store loads in bins at each side of the aisle,

and to remove loads from the bins.

FIG. 2 is a vertical elevation at right angles to the view taken in FIG. 1 showing the positioning of the load relatively to a particular storage bin, for movement into the bin.

FIGS. 3, 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate the operation of the mechanism for particularly positioning a load.

FIG. 4 is a vertical elevation illustrating the construction of the load pusher and shuttle and the mounting of one chain of the load pusher on a vertical plate constituting a plate of the shuttle of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a section of a detail of the invention taken along line 55 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a vertical elevation and section taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4 illustrating the construction of the shuttle and the means for moving the shuttle to the right or to the left of an elevating platform.

FIG. 7 is a plan view taken along line 77 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a section taken along line 88 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a partial section and elevation illustrating a bridge mechanism for bridging the gap between the load stacker platform and a bin.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 illustrating the bridge in another position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the load stacker of this invention is designated generally by reference numeral 10, and is of the well known type adapted for movement in an aisle bounded at each side by storage bins. For this movement, the stacker is mounted on two spaced lower rals 11 and a single central upper rail 12, and is suitably powered for such movement by a motor 13 and a traction wheel 14, all as is quite common in the art. It will be well to indicate that the basic concept of the invention is adapted not only for utilization on stackers such as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, but also on industrialtruc ks, hoists, and other types of mechanisms in which a load carried by an elevating platform must be moved into a bin or a storage platform at one or both sides of the elevating platform and back thereon.

A pair of vertical uprights, each designated by reference numeral 15, extend between the base 16 of the stacker 10, and an upper frame member 17. The base 16 carries the traction mechanism and the wheels through which the stacker is mounted on rails l 1, while frame member 17 carries the trolleys coacting with upper rail 12. The frame of the load carrier of the stacker comprises an upper beam 18 and a load platform 19 suitably connected by vertical beams 20 at one side, and'other vertical beams 21 at the opposed side, forming an integral structure as illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 2. The vertical beams 20 are mounted, through suitable conventional rollers, for vertical movement on the uprights 15. The details of the rollers and the detailed construction of the uprights are not set forth because the uprights l5 and the vertical beams are conventional in the art. For the same reason, other details of the invention'will not be described, as they are also quite common in the art, and an understanding thereof is not necessary in order to utilize the concept of this invention.

For contributing lifting movement to the elevating platform 19, a pair of lifting chains or cables 25 are utilized, each chain vor cable being secured at 26 and 27 to a vertical beam 20, and being adapted to pass over an upper sprocket 28 mounted on the upper beam 17, and to be passed under a lower sprocket 29 on base 16. This lowersprocket is operated by a suitable drive mechanism utilizing a motor30 as is conventional in the art, it being understood that the motorwill move the chains or cables 25 and will readily move the load platform 19 upwardly or downwardly as may be required. g

It will be noted particularly in FIG. 1 that a load L on 'the platform 19 is shown in dash and dotted lines, and

may be moved from the platform 19 to the solid line position at the right of the platform into a bin so as to rest on the floor F of the bin. In FIG. 1 a load-L is shown also resting on the floor-F of the bin to the left of the platform [9. The invention of this application provides means for'moving the load L from its solid line position in one or the other of the opposed bins, to the platform 19, or from the dotted line position on the platform 19, into a bin at the right or the left side of the load stacker 10. This movement is accomplished without the use of skids or pallets, all as earlier emphasized.

In order to move the load into a bin, or from a bin floor F to the platform 19, the shuttle S, best illustrated in FIGS. 3-3C, 4, 5 and 6 is utilized. Shuttle S comprises a pair of vertical spaced plates 35, the two plates being connected at their upper ends by a horizontal support plate 36 to which the plates 35 may be welded or otherwise secured in any standard manner. The spacing between plates 35 is determined by the load to be moved through positioning between the plates. Extending upwardly from the support plate 36 are integral opposed spaced vertical brackets 37 as best seen in FIG. 6, and each bracket 37 has mounted thereon a pair or more of rollers 38. Rollers 38 of each bracket 37 operate in one channel 39 of each of two channelled beams 40, it being obvious that through the rollers 38 the brackets 37 will mount the shuttle S for horizontal movement relatively to the two channelled beams 40. The beams 40, suitably secured to one another by connecting structural parts, have opposed channels 41 through which they are mounted on a series of rollers 42 that are carried by spaced fixed vertical beams 43 that are suitably welded to the upper beam 18 of the load handler. It will be remembered that beam 18 through the vertical beams 20, and the chains 25, brings about the vertical movement of the platform 19 of the stacker as earlier described. The detailsof fabrication of beam 18 and the vertical beams 43 carrying rollers 41 is not set forth as they per se are conventional in concept and form. 1 i

It will now be understood that the shuttle S comprising vertical plates 35 integral with horizontal plate 36,

is adapted for horizontal movement on the channelled.

beams 40 through rollers 38, and that the channelled beams 40 are in turn adapted for horizontal movement through rollers 42 relatively to the load handler upper beam 18. This mounting of the several parts is utilized for moving the shuttle S from a position over the platform 19 illustrated in FIG. 1, to a positionto one side or the other of the platform 19 as will be understood after a further descriptionof the invention, and after particular reference to FIGS. 3 to 3C inclusive.-

In order to contribute horizontal movement of the two channelled beams 40, which are suitably secured to one another by an assembly of .welded plates to form an integral unit, reliance is had on a motor 50 probably best shown in FIGS. 68. Motor 50 is mountedon a bracket 49 integral with beam 18, and drives a sprocket 51 that in turn drives a chain 52 that is engaged with a pair of sprockets 53, 54. The sprockets 53, 54 are frictionally in engagement respectively with shafts 53a, 54a through suitable clutches, and each of the shafts has a pinion 55 fixed thereto. The shafts 53a, 540 are shown mounted at one end in suitable bearings 56 formed in vertical bearing plates that are integral with upper beam 18 of the stacker. The two pinions 55 are,

required for movement of the channelled beams 40 in opposed directions as will be understood. Naturally, the motor 50 will be suitably controlled so as to move the channelled beams 40 back and forth in the fixed path in which they are mounted on the rollers 42, all in a conventional manner.

In order to move the shuttle S as illustrated in FIGS. 3-3C, to which reference will be made shortly, there is fixed to the channelled beam assembly a suitable motor 60, best illustrated in FIGS. 5-8.

Motor 60 is mounted on a bracket 59 integral with the integral assembly including channelled beams 40, and therefore moves with the beams 40 upon actuation of motor 50. Motor 60 drives a sprocket 61 which through a chain 61c drives a sprocket 61s mounted with a second sprocket 63 on a short shaft carried by suitable bearings on bracket 59. Sprocket 63 is vertically aligned with guide sprockets 63a and 63b carried by bearings formed on end parts of the channelled beam' assembly 40, so that all of the sprockets are mounted in predetermined fixed axial relation. A chain 62 is reaved over the three sprockets 63, 63a and 63b as best seen in FIG. 8. Obviously, actuation of motor 60 will through sprocket 61 and chain 61c drive sprocket 61s, and therefore will actuate sprocket 63 to drive chain 62 as determined by guide sprockets 63a and 63b. Chain 62 is not a continuous chain and its two ends, as best seen in FIG. 8, are fixed at 64 to parts integral with plate 36 of the shuttle assembly S, which it will be remembered includes spaced vertical plates 35.

. It is clear that movement'of the chain 62 by operation of motor 60 will move the shuttle S laterally relatively to the beams 40,and that this movement together with the movement of the beams 40 by motor 50, will give the shuttle S that degree of movement which is required to contribute the results of this invention, as will presently be made clear through reference to FIGS. 3-3C inclusive.

While electric motors, chains and sprockets have been illustrated as preferred means for moving the channelled beams 40 relatively to the main fram or beam 18 of the load handler,'and also for moving the shuttle S relatively to the channelled beams 40, it will be appreciated that other means such as reciprocating double acting hydraulic rams may readily be adapted for the particularpurpose-Also, cables and pulleys may be substituted forthe sprockets and chains. In any event, it is obvious'that'when shuttle S including plates 35 isin the position illustrated in FIG. 1, it may readily be moved tothe right or to the left of its position in FIG. 1 to contribute movement of the load L as will be presently set forth in more detail.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 the construction of the load pusher of shuttle S of this invention will be described. Each of the side plates 35 of the shuttle S has mounted thereon a series of sprockets 65, and passing over these sprockets is a conventional roller link chain 66. As shown in FIG. 5, each plate 35 will have at each end thereof a pair of vertical guide strips 67, suitably spaced, so as to guide therebetween roller portions 68 of the chain 66. The purpose of the particular construction is to prevent endwise movement of the chain 66 relatively to the plates 35 when the rollers 68 are between the guide strips 67. As shown also in FIG. 5, one side plate of the chain 66, designated by reference numeral 69, will prevent Iateral movement of the chain link away from the strips 67.

Certain of the opposed side plates of the chain, designated by reference numeral in FIG. 5, have secured thereto as through riveting, one end of a rod 71, the other end of the rod 71 being suitably secured to a similar plate 70 of a chain 66 mounted on the opposed plate 35 of the shuttle S. A series of rods 71 are thus secured tothe chains 66 and will extend between two plates 35 of the shuttle S as well shown in FIG. 6 and also in FIG. 2.

Preferably, there will be two series of these rods 71 secured at two different portions of the chain 66, and

the second series is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 4. 7

Therefore, when the chain is in the position of FIG. 4, one series of rods 71 will be at the left vertical side of the shuttle S while the other series will be positioned upwardly of the plates 35. It is obvious that if a load is positioned between the plates 35, the rods 71 in FIG. 3 shown at the left side of the plates 35, will be opposed to the left side of the load. The rods 71 shown in dotted lines at the upper part of the plates 35, will be above the load and will not affect the movement of the load. Through movement of the chain 66 by a suitable motor driven sprocket, as will presently be described, the rods 71 shown above the load may be 'moved to the right hand end of the shuttle S, while the rods shown in solid lines in FIG. 3 will be moved above the load, thereby reversing the positioning of. the rods 71, again as will presently be made clearer.

Any suitable means may be utilized for moving the chains 66, but preferably, the mechanism best illustrated in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7 is preferred. Thus, a cross shaft 75 is mounted at its opposed ends in thevtwo plates 35, and has mounted thereon sprockets 76 that engage the chains 66. Mounted centrally on the shaft 75 is a sprocket 77 driven by a chain 78 through a friction clutch thatis not illustrated. A motor 79, mounted on plate 36, or some other part of shuttle S, drives chain 78. It is obvious that by operation of the motor 79, the chain 78 rotates the sprocket 77 in either of opposed directions and will impartmovement to the shaft 75 to drive the chains 66 through the path determinedby the guide sprockets 65. The frictional clutch is utilized in order that any over running of the motor 79 will not bring about undue stress on the connection between the several 'bars 71 and the chains 66. It is of course obvious that many different means may be utilized to drive the chains66 and that the mechanism herein described as used for this purpose is not a feature per se of the invention.

It will be well to note further that preferably, additional guide means for the chains 66 are applied to the plates 35, as shown at 80 in FIG. 4. Again, it is indicated that these auxiliary means are not per se of the essence and will not be claimed per se.

Refererence will now be made to FIGS. 33C inclusive, to illustrate the movement of the shuttle S and the pusher comprising chains 66 and the bars 71 for manipulating a load. In FIG. 3 the load L is illustrated in the same position it is shown in dash and dotted lines in FIG. 1, resting on platform 19. Chains 66 are in a position holding one series of bars 71 at the left side of the load L and a second series of bars above the load L. With the parts in this position, the two electric motors 50 and 60 may be operated together or in sequence to bring about movement of the shuttle S to the right of its position in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 to the position of FIG. 3A. It will be noted that the operation of the motors 50 and 60 will cause movement of the channelled beams 40 on rollers 42 to the right relatively to beam 18 from the position of FIG. 3 to the position of FIG. 3A. The shuttle S will move on its rollers 38 of brackets 37 relatively to the channelled beams 40 to the extreme right position illustrated in FIG. 3A. Movement of the shuttle will bring the bars 71 from the position in FIG. 3 first against the load L resting on platform 19, and will then bring about movement of the load L from the platform 19 to the floor F of the storage bin.

Let us assume that with the load positioned as in FIG. 3A it is desired to move the load from the floor F of the bin back to the platform 19. The stacker will first be manipulated so as to place the platform 19 in its position of FIG. 3A, and then channelled beams 40 and shuttle S will be manipulated to the position of FIG. 3A as just described. Now, suitable operation of the chains 66 by the sprocket mechanism and motor 79, or other suitable means, earlier described, will cause the upper bars 71 illustrated in FIG. 3A to move to the position of FIG. 3B, while the bars shown at the left side of FIG. 3A will move to the upper position above load L also illustrated in FIG. 38. Now, suitable operation of the two drive motors 50 and 60 will cause the shuttle S and the channelled beams 40 to move to the left from the position of FIG/3B to the position of FIG. 3C. Obviously, this movement of the parts to the position of FIG. 3C will place load L on the load platform 19 once again. If it is desired to move the load from its position of FIG. 3C to a bin at the left side of the stacker, it is only necessary to move the shuttle S to the left from its position of FIG. 3C. This will be accomplished by sequential or simultaneous movement of the channelled beams 40 and shuttle S by motors 50 and 60. With the bars 71 positioned as in FIG. 3C, th load L will be moved to the floor F of the bin at the left side of the stacker, all as will be rather apparent to those skilled in theart. Movement of the load to the left in FIG. 3 may be accomplished by first moving the chains 66 and bars 71 to their position in FIG. 3B relatively to plates 35, after which the load will be movable to the left with the shuttle S.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, a bridge mechanism is shown in two positions. The bridge mechanism comprises a bridge plate 80 that is pivoted at 81 at opposed ends of the platform 19 of the stacker. Fixed at each end of the bridge plate 80 is a bracket 82 pivoted at 83 to a link 84 that is in turn pivoted at 85 to a lever 86 pivoted at 87 to a bracket 88 fixed to the load platform 19. A spring 89 tends to hold the bracket 86 in its position illustrated in FIG. 9 as is quite clear. One end ofa spring 91 is secured at 90 to lever 86, the other end being secured at 92 to part of an armature 93 of a solenoid 94. Lever 86 is moved through spring 91 upon energization of the solenoid 94 and movement of armature 95. In FIG. solenoid 94 is shown energized with its armature 93 pulled inwardly, and the spring 91 stressed to rotate the lever 86 and thereby through the link 84 move the bridge plate 80 into bridging position with one end of the bridge plate 80 resting on the floow F ofa bin. It will now be readily seen that a load resting on the floor F may be moved with facility through the positioning of the bridge plate 80 as shown in FIG. 10. When moving a load from the load platform 19, it is not necessary to utilize the solenoid 94, since as is apparent from FIG. 9, with the solenoid 94 not energized, the bridge plate will be in a vertical position at the left side of the platform 19. If the load L, illustrated in FIG. 9, is moved to the left, it will swing the bridge plate 80 downwardly into its position of FIG. 10 merely through the stressing of the spring 89. Thus, the solenoid 94 need not be energized except when it is desired to bridge a gap between the floor F and the elevating platform 19 for moving a load from the floor F to the elevating platform 19.

Switches for the several motors utilized to propel the stacker, to move the load platform 19 vertically, and to operate the shuttle, the beam assembly, and the push rod chains, have not been shown or discussed as these may be quite conventional. However, it is contemplated that the switches may be programmed utilizing modern technology so that the apparatus will store a load automatically in a particular bin and automatically retrieve it.

It is thought that the basic concept of this invention and its contribution to the art will now be clear to those aware of the development in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. In a load stacker, load mainpulating means for moving a load in either of opposed directions, said load manipulating means comprising pusher means mounted for selective engagement with either of opposed surfaces of said load, means mounting said load mainpulating means for movement in a path toward and away from said load, means for moving said load manipulating means bodily in said path with said load in either of said opposed directions with said pusher means applied to one of said opposed surfaces so as to move the load therewith, and means for moving said pusher means into a vertical position at one end surface or the other of said load for engagement with said one end surface or the other.

2. In the combination of claim 1, the feature that said load stacker includes a load supporting platform, and means fixed to said platform mounting said load manip ulating means for movement in said path.

3. In the combination of claim 1, the feature that said pusher means are mounted on a shuttle constituting part of said load manipulating means, and means to impart reciprocating movement to said shuttle in said path to move said pusher means therewith also in said path.

4. In the combination of claim 3, the feature that a load platform is fixed relatively to the mounting means for said shuttlefor supporting a load relatively to which said pusher means is moved to position the pusher means at one or the other of opposed ends of said shuttle.

5. In the combination of claim 4, the feature that said pusher means is a pair of spaced flexible members such as a pair of chains, a series of bars extending between said flexible members and secured thereto at spaced points for movement therewith, a vertical mounting device at each side of said shuttle, guide sprockets or the like on each device for guiding said flexible members for movement in parallel paths whereby movement of said flexible members in said paths will place said bars at one end surface or the other of a load resting between said mounting devices of said shuttle.

6. In the combination of claim 5, the feature that said means mounting said load manipulating means for movement in a path are means mounting said shuttle for reciprocating movement to each side of a central position in a fixed path, and a load platform fixed to said mounting means for said shuttle for supporting a load to be moved by said shuttle.

7. In the combination of claim 5, the feature that said mounting devices at each side of said shuttle are spaced 1 r a sufficient distance to permit a load to be positioned therebetween on said load platform.

8. In the combination of claim 1, the feature that said pusher means is a flexible member, a series of bars seflexible members in parallel paths. 

1. In a load stacker, load mainpulating means for moving a load in either of opposed directions, said load manipulating means comprising pusher means mounted for selective engagement with either of opposed surfaces of said load, means mounting said load mainpulating means for movement in a path toward and away from said load, means for moving said load manipulating means bodily in said path with said load in either of said opposed directions with said pusher means applied to one of said opposed surfaces so as to move the load therewith, and means for moving said pusher means into a vertical position at one end surface or the other of said load for engagement with said one end surface or the other.
 2. In the combination of claim 1, the feature that said load stacker includes a load supporting platform, and means fixed to said platform mounting said load manipulating means for moveMent in said path.
 3. In the combination of claim 1, the feature that said pusher means are mounted on a shuttle constituting part of said load manipulating means, and means to impart reciprocating movement to said shuttle in said path to move said pusher means therewith also in said path.
 4. In the combination of claim 3, the feature that a load platform is fixed relatively to the mounting means for said shuttle for supporting a load relatively to which said pusher means is moved to position the pusher means at one or the other of opposed ends of said shuttle.
 5. In the combination of claim 4, the feature that said pusher means is a pair of spaced flexible members such as a pair of chains, a series of bars extending between said flexible members and secured thereto at spaced points for movement therewith, a vertical mounting device at each side of said shuttle, guide sprockets or the like on each device for guiding said flexible members for movement in parallel paths whereby movement of said flexible members in said paths will place said bars at one end surface or the other of a load resting between said mounting devices of said shuttle.
 6. In the combination of claim 5, the feature that said means mounting said load manipulating means for movement in a path are means mounting said shuttle for reciprocating movement to each side of a central position in a fixed path, and a load platform fixed to said mounting means for said shuttle for supporting a load to be moved by said shuttle.
 7. In the combination of claim 5, the feature that said mounting devices at each side of said shuttle are spaced a sufficient distance to permit a load to be positioned therebetween on said load platform.
 8. In the combination of claim 1, the feature that said pusher means is a flexible member, a series of bars secured to said flexible member for movement therewith, and means guiding said flexible member for movement into said vertical position.
 9. In the combination of claim 1, the feature that said pusher means is a pair of spaced flexible members such as a pair of chains, a series of bars extending between said flexible members and secured thereto at spaced points for movement therewith, and means guiding said flexible members in parallel paths. 